# NTSB ANC83LA155: Bell B-206B, N87TA, Bettles, AK, August 30, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 30, 1983, 12:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Bettles, AK
- Coordinates: 67.23925, -152.270523 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=67.2392&lon=-152.2705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4159
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83LA155
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4159/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83LA155

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,pump - incorrect (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER MADE A AUTOROTATIVE FORCED LANDING AFTER A LOSS OF POWER DURING CRUISE. THE LANDING WAS MADE ON A ROAD AND THE MAIN ROTOR SEVERED THE TAILBOOM. DURING THE POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION A LEAK WAS FOUND IN THE AUTO VALVE(PART NUMBER 206061634-3) OF THE FUEL PUMP. ALSO SOME BRASS AND LEAD WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL AND THE FUEL PUMP IS THE ONLY ELEMENT IN THE FUEL SYSTEM TO USE BRASS BUSHINGS WHICH ARE ALSO IMPREGNATED WITH LEAD TO AID IN LUBRICATION. THE FUEL PUMPS COMPONENTS (BUSHINGS) WERE ROUND OUT OF TOLERANCE WHEN MEASURED. A REENACTMENT FLAMEOUT WAS ACCOMPLISHED WHEN THE FUEL PUMPS WERE'FAILED'BY PULLING THE CIRCUIT BREAKERS AND, AS IN THE ACTUAL ACCIDENT FLAMEOUT, THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS ON THE COCKPIT INSTRUMENTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N87TA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL B-206B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1996
- Airframe hours: 2663
- Engines: ALLISON C-20 400 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Trans Alaska Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SCC, DEADHORSE, AK
- Destination: BTT, BETTLES, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 5,000 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 300 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19830830045229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830830045229A), Aug 30, 1983: Bell 206B, Bettles, AK, Substantial damage. Engine flamed out. Made hard landing on sloping service road. Chopped tail boom. Worn autovalve and fuel pump.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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